American Idol Season 7 Episode 5 Week 3A: Omaha Auditions

Week 3A of American Idol Season 7 takes us to Omaha, Nebraska for the next round of auditions. More aspiring singers from the Midwest take their shot at impressing judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson in hopes of moving on to the Hollywood round.

The episode starts by giving us a glimpse of the vibrant music scene in Omaha, showcasing some of the past performers who have made it big from the city, such as the band 311 and singer-songwriter Conor Oberst.

The first contestant to take the stage is a 19-year old college student named Kinsey. She belts out a confident rendition of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5, impressing the judges with her overall performance. Simon even goes as far as to say that he sees potential in her to possibly make it to the top 24.

Next up is 21-year old Syesha Mercado. She sings "Think" by Aretha Franklin, wowing the judges with her powerful vocals and stage presence. Paula says that Syesha has what it takes to make it as a recording artist, while Simon compliments her natural talent.

A standout performance comes from a self-described "outsider" named Luke. He takes on the classic rock anthem "Born to Be Wild" and gives it his own unique spin. The judges are impressed with his confidence and energy, remarking that he stands out from the pack.

Another memorable moment from the Omaha auditions comes from 18-year old Kady Malloy. She charms the judges with her bubbly personality and quirky sense of humor before performing "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers. Though Randy isn't too keen on her song choice, the other judges appreciate her vocal ability and advance her to the next round.

The episode also highlights some of the less successful auditions, including a painful rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine" by a contestant named Jonathan. As he struggles to hit the high notes, Simon jokingly pleads with him to stop singing. There are also a few contestants who try to impress with unusual gimmicks, such as a young man who sings while breakdancing and a woman who performs a puppet show while singing. Needless to say, these auditions don't quite hit the mark.

Week 3A of American Idol Season 7 ends with the judges deliberating and making tough decisions on who to advance to the Hollywood round. As always, there are tears and disappointments along with the triumphs, but the episode leaves us with a sense of anticipation for what's to come in the next round of auditions.